Saturday, August 20, 2016

COMIC-CON 2016: THE LARGE AND SMALL OF IT

A sketch of a pebble may be a greater artistic achievement than a full color painting of the Grand Canyon. An allegorical picture with grand ambitions about social justice may be inferior to a picture with no ambition beyond capturing a clump of grass.

You can just never tell.

I'm reminded of this every year at San Diego's Comic-Con, where the smallest, most informal art is nestled in the crevices between elaborately staged multi-million dollar corporate art. This year in a quiet corner of Comic-Con I came across this small (5" x 8") sketch by Wilbur "Pete" Hawley on a ratty, torn piece of tissue paper:

This is a preliminary rough for an illustration for the American Greetings card company. I admire his selective use of dark accents and the variety in the width of his line (contrast the sensitive line describing this cheek with the brisk, full lines shaping the hair on the back of the head):

Even without the wrinkles and bone structure that most artists rely on to convey facial expressions, Hawley managed to create marvelous expressions in an integrated unit.

Note Hawley's use of smudges and a heavier line to create volume

Remember, these were Hawley's notes to himself-- this was a preliminary sketch to work out how Hawley might paint the final version.

Leif Peng wrote, "If God bestowed The Magic Cute Pencil upon any one illustrator of thetwentieth century it must surely have been Pete Hawley. Cute wasn't a formula Hawley had worked out and applied to his drawing style... it was as natural to him as breathing."

Pictures of cute babies were scarce at Comic-Con. Far more of the artwork focused on inter-galactic battles between armies of muscle bound super heroes. Popular artists hawked limited edition archival giclee prints of photo-realistic paintings from fancy 3D displays.

But for me, Hawley's battered little sketch on crummy paper was stronger than much of the juiced up, overwrought art on display in the exhibition hall.

Don—I have to say the same thing regarding Hawley's illustrations for Jantzen. Until recently, I didn't know who did them either but they had a great look that carried from ad to ad in the series. Either Hawley, the art director, the ad designer—or all three—were way ahead of their times. The ads were designed with the headlines and copy flowing around Hawley's illustrations—as a total unit.

David—Thanks for posting one of Hawley's preliminary drawings. I think you can get to know an artist well by studying preliminary work. Hawley's Betsy Bell series was just fun to look at.

Al McLuckie-- You're right that I make this point again and again. I can't help myself; there are so many talented artists who worked hard all their lives and made excellent pictures but who we don't remember any more. Sometimes I feel compelled to pull out some of their original pictures and attempt a sober, objective comparison on a level playing field with some of today's flavor-of-the month artists, just to broaden people's frame of reference. Sometimes they broaden my frame of reference at the same time, so it's a win-win situation.

I'll be announcing some good news about the Fuchs book shortly. Thanks for asking.

Donald Pittenger-- yes, Hawley was an unsung hero. He didn't sign much of his work, and sometimes he signed it with fun, made up names. He did not have a big ego.

Paul Sullivan-- I love that Betsy Bell series. So fun, so animated with great facial expressions, and illuminated from within like those Sundblom Santa Clauses.

JSL-- There is no denying the technical skill of Alex Ross, or his appeal to a huge audience (look at that booth!). However, for my personal taste, an artist should pay more attention to the poetry of art-- the design, composition, etc.-- and should assign value to the elements of a picture using more thoughtful priorities. Artists with strong technical skills sometimes tend to put details in a painting just because they are able. I tend to look for more economy and judgment.

I really agree with you that it seems like most artists that have spent so many years upon years studying and perfecting their technical skills will have a hard time holding back if they ever are to achieve an highly acclaimed skill level.

A bit on a side note, but somewhat related I think.. I was reminded now of my figure drawing teacher many years ago, he told me something at the time that I didn't understand, but I believe I do now, at least more than then. He said, that for those of us who might one day achieve such a high skill level that the drawing will come out "easy", those will also loose something.. He probably couldn't put into words what this "something" specifically was, but he himself was in my opinion highly skilled with figure drawing, that fact paired with his honest reflection makes me think fondly back on him today. I think that that "something" he was referring to is a certain "nerve" that can sometimes be found only in the greatest of the not so technically obsessed artists, Jeff Jones is at the front in my mind in that regard.

Hagala-- I agree with your figure drawing teacher. I suspect that the more technical skills we acquire, the more our perceptions harden along particular paths. Muscle memory and short cuts spare us from re-thinking each drawing, but also rob us of the potential benefits of a fresh approach. One reason people admire Picasso was because he was able to un-learn anatomy and re-invent his subjects like a child, But obviously he was a rare example.

Anonymous-- The good people at Graphic Collectibles (https://www.graphiccollectibles.com/) offer some Hawley original drawings for sale.

Willburr PETE is a an awesome illustrator. He got fine draughtmanship skill. However, he is right on the anatomy of the babies. Babies structures or facial expression don't show bones. Please follow me back and give me a backlink.

The above comment before mine originated from me... i repeat willburr pete is a fine draughtman. Babies anatomy got no bone showing physically, so pete is right. The illustration made me smile. Give me a followback pls!!

I love finding these sites with wonderful words. I am married to Pete's grandson, Ty Hawley. Susan Hawley, Pete's daughter is my mother in law and we have all enjoyed the recent sales of these pieces as we see what joy it has brought to many! Thank you!

Mandy Hawley-- How nice to hear from Pete Hawley's family. Please give our best to your husband and mother in law. I love looking at his paintings (you can see another post about his work here: http://illustrationart.blogspot.com/2016/10/lit-from-within.html ) and I know many other do too. I was delighted to see his original work coming available, because the originals are the only way to truly appreciate the extent of Pete's gift. I suspect this process will bring forth many new fans.

David, my apologies I did not receive notification of your reply. I will happily pass along the well wishes. I absolutely love finding these discussions with the love of his art. We have posted all available art on Graphic Collectibles site and majority headed to Comicon this year. Excited to find more messages from those that collect his art. Thank you again, it all means a lot.